This is a girl band appreciation post

A few nights ago, BBC2 broadcasted a very interesting documentary titled I Am In A Girl Group! which you can watch here if you live in the UK. Watching it just reaffirmed the special love I have for girl bands, no matter the type of music, they’re an unstoppable force.

There have been great girl bands along the years, I’ve grown with some of them and others I’ve found along the way, so here are some great girl band songs, in no particular order.

The Supremes – Where Did Our Love Go?

Not only The Supremes have amazing songs, they also have a really interesting back story. The transformation of the band from their initial equal dynamic to becoming Dianna Ross and The Supremes (Ross wasn’t the most talented singer, but she was the prettier) caused enough tension to eventually mean the end of the group. Their story inspired the musical Dreamgirls, and some of their songs remain among the all time classics.

The Ronettes – Be My Baby

I discovered the Ronettes thanks to the Dirty Dancing Movie soundtrack, and this is one of those songs that I can listen to a hundred times without ever growing tired of it.

The Shirelles – Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow

Like The Ronettes, it was Dirty Dancing who brought The Shirelles to my attention. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow is one of those songs that manages to convey the longing that the lyrics talk about. I absolutely love the instrumental.

The Runaways – Cherry Bomb

The Runaways were the first all girl teenage punk rock band, and though they sold themselves through sexy clothing, their music was strong and fierce. They didn’t last long as a band and Joan Jett became a bigger artist that they ever were, so maybe the break up wasn’t a bad thing after all.

The Go Go’s – We Got The Beat

The Go Go’s managed a few years later what The Runaways never could: they became the first all female songwriting rock band to top the Billboard charts. Their sound was more pop and fun, and We Got The Beat is the perfect example.

Bananarama – Love In The First Degree

Girl Band + the 80’s = Bananarama. Enough said.

All Saints – Never Ever

Never Ever is one of the biggest selling singles by a girlband in the UK, and it’s no wonder why. From the spoken intro that blows my mind, to the soulful beat to the lyrics, once you’ve heard it once, you simply can’t escape the chorus.

Spice Girls – Wannabe

There is nothing that describes the feeling that I get every time I see the start of Wannabe. The Spice Girls were a 90’s phenomenon, they rescued the message of Girl Power, they sang about having fun with friends and every single girl who grew up with them wanted to be them. Including me.

TLC – No Scrubs

TLC would be the first of many bands to follow the Spice Girls motto and singing empowering songs for women. Scrubs is about the kind of guy you don’t wanna get involved with, and it’s one of their best.

Sugababes – Stronger

When I think of the Sugababes, I think of songs like Stronger, so personal and unmistakably them that is hard to think of what the band became later. The combination of Mutya and Keisha’s voices is one of the best pop things of the noughties.

Atomic Kitten – Whole Again

The same thing that happens with Never Ever happens with Whole Again: you find yourself wanting to listen to it one day and the next thing you know, you’re in your 7th consecutive listen.

Pussycat Dolls – Stickwitu

While I’m not a fan of Nicole Scherzinger, it’s only fair to recognize the success the Pussycat Dolls had, which was equal to the amount of drama between the members of the band. They had some cool songs like this one, and damn they could dance.

Destiny’s Child – Say My Name

The members of Destiny’s Child grew up with the Spice Girls and it shows, because their music is, again, solely directed to women and daring them to be feisty and enjoy their independence. Songs like Say My Name are a reminder of their strength, determination and self-respect.

Girls Aloud – Biology

Girls Aloud are British pop royalty. Their brilliance shines mainly through the quality of their music, which was innovative from the start. Through their evolution they managed to keep a standard of quality that many artists would have wanted for themselves.

The Saturdays – Higher

The Saturdays’s existence will be forever justified by pop gems such a Up or Higher, songs that are timeless and make up for any bad decision they could have ever made.